7 Surprising Facts About the 1970s Icon and Singer

In the ’70s, few singers were as cherished as Linda Ronstadt. With her boho style and powerful voice, she captivated countless fans with hit songs like “You’re No Good,” “When Will I Be Loved,” and “Blue Bayou.” Her ability to blend elements of rock, pop, folk, country, jazz, opera, Latin music, and more into her repertoire demonstrated an impressive range.

Linda Ronstadt retired from music in 2011 after she lost her ability to sing due to Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, a degenerative disease similar to Parkinson’s. Despite this, her legacy is notable, featuring dozens of albums released between 1969 and 2006, many of which went Platinum. She also boasts 11 Grammy awards, 34 songs on the Billboard Hot 100, and a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Even over 50 years after her debut, Ronstadt retains a devoted fanbase spanning different generations. A recent boost in her popularity came with the inclusion of one of her songs on the hit show “The Last of Us” and the announcement that pop star Selena Gomez will portray her in an upcoming biopic.

Linda Ronstadt is more than just a singer; she’s a cultural icon. Here are some fascinating aspects of her life:

Ronstadt is best known as a solo artist but has made numerous musical collaborations. In 1987, she formed the supergroup Trio with Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris. Beyond that, she has worked with James Taylor, Neil Young, Paul Simon, Warren Zevon, Bette Midler, Frank Sinatra, and others. Notably, the Eagles began their career as her backing band!

Linda Ronstadt paid tribute to her roots. Raised on a ranch in Tucson, Arizona, and of Mexican descent, she listened to and sang Mexican music growing up. In 1987, she released “Canciones de mi padre”, an album of traditional Mexican Mariachi music. This album remains the bestselling non-English language album in American music history. She later released two more Spanish-language albums in 1991 and 1992.

In 2022, she published “Feels Like Home: A Song for the Sonoran Borderlands,” a book detailing her upbringing and highlighting Mexican culture’s importance in her life, complete with Ronstadt family recipes.

In 1981, Ronstadt made her Broadway debut in Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Pirates of Penzance” opposite Kevin Kline, earning a Tony nomination. She was often credited with introducing traditional music and operatic vocals to a new audience.

Despite her prominence during the singer-songwriter scene, Ronstadt only wrote three songs: “Lo siento mi vida,” “Try Me Again,” and “Winter Light” (all had co-writers). She was primarily an interpreter of other people’s music, ranging from her peers to legendary songwriters of past decades.

Ronstadt once said, “People that write songs, they write songs. They wake up early in the morning and know an idea and they write it down. I’ve written songs. Anybody can write a song, but it’s really hard to write a good song, and it’s almost impossible to write a great song. And I had people who were writing great songs around me.”

In her personal life, Ronstadt dated several high-profile figures including California governor Jerry Brown and comedian Jim Carrey. From 1983 to 1988, she dated “Star Wars” creator George Lucas, and the couple was briefly engaged. Despite these relationships, Ronstadt never married, remarking, “I have no talent for it. Not a shred. I don’t like to compromise.” In the early ’90s, she adopted two children.

Ronstadt acknowledged the mixed feelings she had about being seen as a sex symbol. In a 1976 interview, she said, “The sexual aspect of my personality has been played up a lot, and I can’t say it hasn’t been part of my success. But it’s unfair in a way because I don’t think I look as good as my image.”

Her cool, hippie chick style and doe-eyed look made her a major figure of the ’70s, but she admitted sometimes feeling guilty or embarrassed about it. “But that’s part of the fun too—that’s part of the charade,” she added.

Linda Ronstadt was a trailblazer, being one of the first solo female superstars long before the likes of Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. Dubbed the “Queen of Rock,” she was the first woman to have four consecutive albums go Platinum. Even in the face of early-career sexism and doubts about her abilities, Ronstadt proved herself many times over. She blazed a trail for female singers that continues to inspire.

Read on for more of our favorite female musicians of the ’70s!

Source: Particle News